Government delay results in foodgrains reaching most fisherfolk only after the fishing ban

Fisherfolk face a peculiar situation every year with the fishing ban in force till May 31.

TNN | May 15, 2014, 04.48 AM IST

VISAKHAPATNAM: Fisherfolk face a peculiar situation every year with the fishing ban in force till May 31. The state government's scheme of issuing 31 kg rice for family of fishermen never reaches them during the ban period and instead lands only after they resume fishing activity.

Not surprisingly, even this year, the families of fisherfolk are yet to receive the food grains from the state government even though nearly 30 days have elapsed since the fishing ban was imposed on the east coast.

Nearly 28,000 fisherfolk families receive the rice issued by the state government during the fishing ban period in the district. Members of the fisherfolk community pointed out that instead of distributing the rice after the fishing ban period is completed, the state government should take measures to issue the rice in the first or second week of April, so that the families can utilise this during the ban period.

"The fisherfolk would be happy if the government distributed the rice in the first week of April. If it is delayed, what is the point of distributing the rice? Fishing activities will anyway resume after June 1 when community members will get back to work to earn their livelihood," said Arjilli Dasu, executive secretary, District Fishermen's Youth Welfare Association.

"This has been the case for several years now. Every year the rice is given during June and July," he said adding, "We urged the fisheries department to provide 31 kg of rice for each family and an honorariam of Rs 8,000 per family in order to bear their expenses during the fishing ban period. We are awaiting a final decision on this from the state government."

Visakha Dolphin Boat Owners Association president Ch Satyanarayana Murthy said: "Instead of distributing free rice, the government should provide an honorarium of Rs 8,000 per month so that fishermen can manage their lives for the 47 days of the ban period. Even though fishing activity brings in huge foreign exchange, the fishermen are always neglected. Field officers should identify the fishermen and provide the food grains beforehand."

Elaborating on the problem, fisherman V Appaiah of Jalaripeta said: "Even though the government's move to give rice is welcome, the delay in distribution affects our families. While some of the fishermen take up some odd coolie job, others tend to borrow some money promising to return it after the fishing period resumes. This leads to debt piling up, which can be avoided if the government helps the fishermen before the fishing ban sets in. This will not only help fishermen, but also the workers associated with the industry."

"The problem is acute when it comes to women and children because they don't have any other source of income. Even though they take up some odd jobs during that period, the income is not quite sufficient. But despite our demands, the ration always reaches late," said another fisherman, V Pydi Raju.

A former corporator, however, pointed out that the answer lay in strengthening the fisheries department itself. "More number of staff should be deputed to the fisheries department, so that they can conduct ground-level surveys and identify the actual number of families, who are dependent on fishing. They can then coordinate with government and ensure that fishermen get the benefits related to fuel subsidies, ration and licenses among others when they need it the most," he said on condition of anonymity.

"With a long coastline and lakhs of families dependent on sea catch, elected representatives should also take up the issue and ensure that the department along with the state government acknowledges the problem and delivers beforehand," he added.

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